- Date
- April 26, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place
- Marion, MA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8591FBell 47G5
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 14, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19900426011829A
- Case key
- 36503
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Improper use of carburetor heat by the pilot resulting in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was performing an 'ag turn' during aerial application operations when a loss of engine power was noted. The helicopter descended into trees and brush. The pilot stated that 'carburetor ice was suspected throughout the day. Carburetor heat was applied intermittently during the day.' On- scene investigation revealed no indication of mechanical difficulty/malfunction; there was fuel on board the helicopter, and no evidence of contamination in the fuel system. A post- accident engine run was accomplished with no indication of power loss.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8591F
- Reported as
- Bell 47G5
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 7812
- Airframe hours
- 4,189
- Engine
- Lycoming L-34-22-31, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Plymouth Copters Corp.
- Registered owner
- Black Cat Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Unknown · March 27, 1990 · 31 hours before
- Departed
- PYN · Plymouth, MA
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 24
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 360 total · 61 in this make and model · 288 as pilot in command · 80 in the last 90 days · 35 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N8591F · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.